Our Farm in Woodstock
Located just outside the picturesque town of Woodstock on the edge of the Cotswolds, Perdiswell Farm is, like all farms, in a unique location. Whether it be the working quarry, the mainline railway, the ‘international’ airport, World Heritage Site, or the proposed location for Europe’s largest solar farm we have many challenges but also opportunities. Our transport links are fantastic and we can access many parts of the county and indeed country quickly.
But Perdiswell is still home and we have been custodians of the land here for 3 generations.
Our Land
The technical soil classification for the fields surrounding the farm at Woodstock is a Silty Clay Loam, the reality is that the soil has to make way for a huge amount of limestone and so we call it “Cotswold Brash” Common across the Cotswolds and indeed in other parts of the country, but with a different name, our soils give us opportunities but also challenges.
There is only about 12 inches of topsoil before a very rocky subsoil so we have to try and conserve water through late spring into summer to maintain yields. Conversely we can cope with a very wet period better than other soil types as water drains through very quickly.
Our Livestock
Livestock made a welcome return to the farm back in 2009 when we started working with a local grazier to manage the overwintered cover crops. Following the retirement of our original grazier in 2014 we started working with Sam Clarke who was establishing a flock of sheep in the area. Sam’s agronomy background has brought an added insight to the way we grow and manage our cover crops and we now have stubble turnips alongside multi species cover crops all of which are grazed by the sheep.
In 2022 both Sam and I were given the opportunity to take on new ground with freshly established grass leys and so we started a Joint Venture agreement with both of us investing in sheep. Two years later this successful partnership is growing and we are expanding flock numbers. Alongside the sheep, in 2019 we built our first cattle shed and cows returned to the farm for the first time since 1972. A second shed followed in 2021 and we now have up to 120 cattle housed over the winter.
Our Team
We are fortunate to have a great team on the farm here and every year we have additional help at harvest, if you’d like to join us then please keep an eye out on the ‘Work with us’ page.
Matt joined us in 2023 as farm manager and has helped to drive yields and productivity through a very challenging period of weather, vastly experienced he has brought many skills to the table.
James also joined us in 2023 and has brought his experience and enthusiasm with him to drive the combine, drill, fertiliser spreader and sprayer among other operations. He’s uniquely placed to operate both the AGCO machines alongside the John Deeres and maximise their output.
Steve has helped been helping for many years but increased his hours in 2022, his ability to fabricate and repair has been a huge asset alongside his many years of machine operation.
Alan celebrated 40 years working for the family here last year and, although part time, he is a key member of the team during the summer when he oversees the cultivations across all three farms.